Anyone have a baby at 41? How was it?

[Oldermum6]

I’m TTC and keep intermittently worrying it’s not going to work because of my age.

Any mums who had babies in their 40s? Did you find it easy to conceive? Did the pregnancy go well? Did you feel “older” than the other new mums?

I had my second at 41, (first at 29). It took me a few years to conceive but i had fibroids and adenomyosis (sp?). Pregnancy was fine but i ended up with an emergency CS (nothing to do with my age). I can honestly say its been great. A few mums are my age but most a bit younger.

I had my second at 40. Conceived really quickly (first month trying) and pregnancy and birth was really easy. I am finding the sleepless nights harder but that that is patially becuase I also have an older autistic child who does not sleep well.

Also had one miscarriage when trying to conceive.

Had my first at 40 (just a few months shy of 41).
Had been trying to conceive since 35/36.

Pregnancy was a breeze, birth was not great understatement no reason to think that was age related. She’s 10 months now, absolutely perfect and I’m loving motherhood. It’s hard at times and I’m shattered but no more so than any of the younger mums I know.

Had my third at 41 - after a five year gap, and they absolutely were not planned! However it was a joy and a delight as I though I may be 'too old'. The pregnancy was ok apart for polyhydramnios which was a bit scary but soon resolved.
They were three weeks late though - and 15 years on, still a dawdler! We do feel a bit like 'older parents' (dh is 8 years older, but on the other hand we also feel better equipped, financially and emotionally to cope

Had my 5th DC at 41. Conceived accidentally. She's 11 now and has always been an easy child... hopefully that will continue into teenage years!
It never occurred to me to feel 'old'; lots of friends had babies at a similar age.

I had a frozen embryo pregnancy and my little boy was born (DS3) when I was 39.5 so not quite what you asked. The pregnancy was fine and I was induced at 40 weeks with no complications.

Had DC2 two months ago at 41. Compared to DC1 at 37 i didn't really feel any different. With both pregnancies i was very tired in the first and third trimester but otherwise didn't have any complications. If anything I was more active this time around - i cycled up until about 8 months whereas with DC1 I didn't really exercise. Labour was very similar, and i recovered fairly well with after both births (both vaginal delivery). If anything I'm less exhausted with DC2 as he's a much more chilled baby than the first one. I don't feel 'old' but maybe I will when DC2 is school age...

I had my second at 41. I don't think it took me long to conceive, a matter of a few months maybe.

Pregnancy was just as unpleasant because of continuous nausea as it had been almost a decade before, but I remember a midwife saying that I was the healthiest expectant mother she'd seen all week despite being the oldest. Delivery was by elective CS, much less fraught than the emergency CS I'd had the first time.

DC2 was a very easy baby. Slept well, drank the right amount of milk etc. I was much less tired than I had been looking after DC1 but I expect knowing more about what I was doing the second time around helped a lot too.

I knew I was older than the other mothers of babies I met but I can't really say it made any difference. They were generally only five - 10 years younger anyway.

DC2 was, and is, a delight. Well, they both are, but with DC2 I appreciated more just how damn lucky I was, and how fleeting infancy and childhood are.

Third at 40, pregnancy was no trouble, birth a bit dodgy but that's a recognised thing with third ones. I didn't feel old at the time, but am in a very 'older mum' demographic in this area. I feel a bit elderly now she's ten, but that's not her fault!

does giving birth a month before turning 40 counts?

I had my second at 41, after two miscarriages. All my pregnancies were easy conceptions, but we only seemed to have a 50/50 chance of going to term (average for this age). My pregnancy was easy and I went 14 days overdue with no intervention. Birth was fine (certainly easier than the first time around) and I adored early motherhood. I didn't feel old at all. Nearly 10 years on and I'm utterly knackered... wonderful though motherhood is, perimenopause is brutal and it's pretty hard going keeping up with primary aged kids when you're 50!

Had second at 42. No issues conceiving, easier pregnancy and birth than the first time round in my 20's. I looked after myself better too so weight gain was minimal.

Had my one and only at 41. Took me a year to conceive (I’d given up) but the pregnancy was fine. I had a long labour and epidural but no major problems. And no, I never really felt like an older mum and now have the most wonderful relationship with my 2

Sorry 21 year old DD. We really are best friends and she tells me everything. I’d say go for it and all the best.

Took me twenty years to conceive. She was born when I was 41. Pregnancy wasn't great but it was fine. Had an emergency c section but healed well and quickly afterwards.

I am a lot older than many of my mum friends but it doesn't matter

I conceived at 41 on the first weekend of trying (using an OPK), and my DS was born three weeks before I turned 42. Everything was ok, though I needed an emergency Caesarian (having been asking for one for 3 days!)

I feel a little bit older, not very much, though I do wonder now if that will change when I hit the menopause 7 or 8 years before the other mums.

I had my first at 41 and second at 43. Both conceived naturally and quickly, with no health issues during pregnancy. Both children are happy and healthy.

I had my DD (only child) at 41, conceived easily, pregnancy was a doddle and I’ve loved every bit. Had a short, straightforward vaginal birth with no issues.
None of the medical staff remarked on my age and most of the mum’s in my area are 35+ anyway.

I was terrified and thought it would be hard. It’s been the opposite.

My DM had her 4th and final baby at the age of 41 and she breezed through the pregnancy, the birth was the 2nd quickest that she had as well at just 2 hours labour

I conceived without trying at 44. Once I'd got over the shock, it was fine. My NCT group were all 30s and 40s so no I didn't feel older.

I had my one and only at 42 and it was fine - I had a couple of miscarriages prior but not age related. She’s ten now and much fun!

I had my second just before my 40th but it took me 2 years to conceive . As smooth as my first when I was 24 and as a parent of a new born and toddler I felt so much more relaxed. I don’t feel like an older parent at all .

I got pg at 40 and would have had a baby at 41. Had to have a TFMR at 14 weeks due to severe genetic disorder. Quite a rare event but more common at our age (would highly recommend a Harmony test to find out sooner rather than later). Still TTC but would be 42, and accept it may never happen.